NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Random House Children's Books (RandomHouse.com/kids) announced today that The Poky Little Puppy app, the first of more Little Golden Books apps to come,is now available in the iTunes store. The timeless Little Golden Book that today's adults loved as children can now be shared with a whole new generation in this magically interactive storybook app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. The Poky Little Puppy is the bestselling picture book of all time and is one of the twelve original Little Golden Books published in 1942. Written by Janette Sebring Lowrey and illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren, this charming book tells the tale of the instantly recognizable little puppy who has to go to bed without any strawberry shortcake. Beloved by children and adults of all ages, The Poky Little Puppy is an essential part of any child's home library. The Poky Little Puppy appretails for $4.99, but is available now at the special introductory price of $3.99.

This engaging app has been specifically designed to encourage reading and listening comprehension skills, and to reinforce core preschool-level concepts. With the swipe of a finger, users can crack open the cover -- complete with the distinctive Little Golden Books gold spine -- to reveal the entire text of this timeless story, beautifully rendered with interactive illustrations on every page. Users are given a choice of three ways to read the story. The first option enables users to watch and listen as words are highlighted while the text is read aloud. The second option allows users to turn off the narration and read at their own pace (with individual words spoken with the tap of a finger), and the third option allows readers to record their own voice to play on each page.

Children can further hone their reading comprehension skills with the Little Golden Books Hide-and-Seek Challenge that can be played at the end of each page to unlock bonus stickers. When the story has been read, users can use the stickers they collected to create their very own storybook scene and save their masterpiece to the device's photo album. Making this app experience even more unique, users can personalize their app with their name and photograph on the inside cover. This beautifully crafted app makes storytime a special time that parents and children will cherish together.

Random House Children's Books collaborated with leading digital media agency Smashing Ideas, which Bertelsmann AG acquired in May 2011 for its Random House, Inc., division. For more information about other apps also available from Random House Children's Books, visit rhkidsapps.com.

Random House Children's Books is the world's largest English-language children's trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, ebooks, and apps, the imprints of Random House Children's Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company's Website, Kids @ Random (RandomHouse.com/kids) offers an array of activities, games, and resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children's Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

Smashing Ideas, founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless, and more have called upon the company to develop engaging online, ITV, and mobile experiences for their audiences. In May 2011, Bertelsmann AG acquired Smashing Ideas, Inc., for its Random House, Inc., division. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in Portland and in the U.K.